The Medici's Pregnant Mistress

Erin Gates has been the mistress of tycoon Christo Medici for two passionate years. But recently, shes become tired of not being recognized by his family or business clients. She sees happy couples with baby carriages everywhere and she wants to move things to the next level: marriage, family. She wants it allor nothing.

What she doesnt know is that Christo has sworn to his father that he wont marry or have a child. If he does, he will never become CEO of the company he has put his soul into. And Christos reasons go beyond businessthe truth of his familys sordid past has shattered his belief in "happily ever after."

But Erin has a secret that will change both of their lives. Can it change Christos heart?

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Chapter Five

Christo waited, heartbeat throbbing in his ears, uncertain of what her answer to his simple question would be. Yes or no? But he recognized the stark need in her eyes, felt her willpower rapidly sliding. Perhaps another less direct tactic.

While his grasp on her hip held her snug to his belt, his head tilted and his gaze dropped away. "I see this is a waste of time."

That strangled noise didnt make it past her lips. When he looked again, the shadows lurking in her eyes had lightened.

"No," she whispered.

He held that breath and frowned. "No?"

She blinked. "This isnt a waste of time."

As bursts of adrenaline leapt from the gate, he didnt hesitate stealing a penetrating kiss of sweet victory.

About to sweep her up off her feet, she held his arms to stop him. "I had no intention but like you said " Her anxious gaze searched his face. "One last time?"

Bringing her close, he dotted slow, reassuring kisses along her brow, around her cheek and jaw. As she sighed in her throat, his groin begged him to hurry, but his conscience told him to wait and give her time.

"This doesnt have to be the end," he murmured. "I understand you werent expecting that news. But theres every chance the problems with Medicis will be sorted out long before the terms of that agreement suggest."

True and correct. Although he wouldnt mention, for obvious reasons, whatever happened with Medicis, his mind was still made.

All his married life, his father had kept a mistress. If Christos mother had known, she hadnt let on, but the knowledge had left her oldest son angry, bitter and ultimately resigned. Blood was blood and Christo knew such damaging traits could be inherited. Gabriel seemed content going home to his wife every night, but Christo enjoyed the excitement of stealing time to be with his lover. But Christo was not his father; he abhorred the idea of two-timing liaisons and secret babies consummated outside of a marriage bed.

No need to take the risk. He would simply stay single and childless.

His pulse missed a beat, but he pushed Erins hope to start a family aside. Life was complicated enough. They would continue to be happy. Hed make certain of it. She would see tonight was their new beginning.

He smiled and her limbs melted to hot wax. He gathered her up in his arms and crossed to an adjoining room where the lights were low, the blinds drawn and a spare bed happened to be turned down.

Her eyes twinkled with stirrings of happiness, but also more doubt. "Does this mean you do want to get married?"

Hiding a wince, he laid her well back on the bed. He sat beside her, an arm over her waist compelling her to lie flat. He claimed her lips, hoping by the time he had peeled that adorable dress from her limbs shed have forgotten her question.

Mouth still on hers, hed half shrugged from his shirt when she gripped his shoulders and, moving beneath him, broke the kiss.

Her breathing was deep, her tone insistent. "Christo, do you love me?"

As she spoke, he slipped the light dress over her head. Caressing one firm breast, he circled his tongue around its ripe, tight bead. He gently blew against the wet then asked, "Do I act like a man in love?"

When his teeth grazed the tip, she sighed and arched into him. "That wasnt my question."

"Answer me this first." Soaking up the heavenly vision of her near-naked body, he pushed to his feet and maneuvered out of his trousers. "If this was the last day of your life," he said, joining her again, "how would you spend it?"

His flesh shivered as her nails left sensuous trails down his ribs. She smiled. "Id spend it with you."

Nibbling her bottom lip, he slid his hand beneath her panties. "If I had only hours, no one could pry me away from you."

* * *

Were they talking about hours or the rest of their lives?

The question drifted like swirling stardust from her mind as Erin closed her eyes and allowed herself to be carried away.

The following hours might, in fact, have resembled her lastevery second felt desperate, intense. Hypersensitive. Their lovemaking was soul-lifting and ultimately exhausting.

As the first rays of dawn slanted in through the blinds, Erin studied Christos sleeping form. With her cheek on his hot, hard chest, she felt more charged than at any time in her life. More certain and alive.

Last night had changed her mind.

Her baby deserved more than a mother running like a scared rabbit. Christo had the right to know that together theyd created a life. And given that agreement wasnt nearly as concrete as first thought

Shed finished planning how best to break the news when, shattering the sunrise silence, the bedside extension rang.

Christo stretched out and smiled as he became aware of her body sloped against him. When he rolled and lovingly kissed her brow, she knew in her heart what shed planned was only right.

His hand smacked down on the phone as he bundled her in against his body. "Whoever it is, they can leave a message."

"Christo." His fathers terse tone boomed from the speaker. "Meet me and Nicholas at the office at nine."

Groaning, Christo swept the covers over their heads. She might have giggled but his father wasnt one to be laughed at, even behind his back.

That voice boomed again. "Nicholas is getting married. I want you here and this CEO problem sorted out once and for all."

As a sick, tight ball formed in Erins stomach, Christo flipped back the covers and glared at the phone.

"And if youre with that piece of work," his father growled, "dont forget my earlier warning. Get rid of her or, so help me, Ill tell her what you dont have the guts to."